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Wetland Oasis-SSL The Large and Small of It

Here I am scraplifting myself. We went home to northeastern NV on October to scout for deer. I thought these photos of the Ruby Marshes would be great for this challenge.

Ten thousand years ago Ancient Lake Franklin, which was more than 200 feet deep, covered everything as far as you can see. As the climate became drier, the lake receded, leaving two remnant wet lands - Franklin Lake and Ruby Lake. Lush vegetation carpeted the valley floor and wildlife, especailly birds, were plentiful. The Shoshone People, the valley’s first human inhabitants, spent their summers here harvesting plants and hunting for birds and other wildlife. In 1854 explorers looking for gold discovered “rubies,” that were actually semi-precious garnets. The name stuck with the valley and surrounding area. Fort Ruby, a military outpost, was established in September of 1862 at the southern end of the valley. Wetlands are rare in the rugged desert. President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge in July 1938 as a sanctuary and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Lush marsh, meadow, grassland, and shrub steppe upland habitats exist within the 40,000 acre refuge. Each year thousands of migrating birds stop to rest and refuel during spring and fall.